No we are not required to abstain from those things (except sexual immorality, of course). The Gentiles were asked to do so to keep from offending the Jewish christians. This was the crux of the problem in Acts 15. This interpretation fits perfectly with what Paul says in
Mar 7:18-23
(18) And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him;
(19) because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? This he said, making all meats clean.
(20) And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.
(21) For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
(22) covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:
(23) all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.
What version are you using? I don't believe that the version you use translates with the original intent of what Jesus said. Here is the KJV which I fall back on when any discrepancies pop up (the textus receptus is IMO is much better then the flawed Catholic manuscripts)
Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
To begin with the word "meats" is better translated --food--. Anything that is taken in for food. Is Jesus saying that anything we put in our mouth does not defile or harm us? I don't think that was His point. Note earlier that Jesus was speaking out against the pharisees legalism (wrong attitude for keeping the law) and the commandments that were created out of this legalism. In essence they created laws to keep the people from breaking the original laws. They jumped on Jesus for his disciples not washing their hands before eating. Then he pointed out their legalistic laws of diverse washings of plates and utensils. And then He points out their utter hypocrisy by the law they created that did not harmonize with the law of adultery that was given by God. This was the reasoning for what Jesus said. Now to get to His actual words. He first responded to the "unlawful" tradition of divorce that they adhered to and then moved on to say this...
Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
Jesus is, IMO, speaking not in a literal sense. If so then he would have been speaking of the drought that comes out after eating. He is speaking directly to the heart of the pharisees problem... their hearts. What truly defiles is sin. The pharisees tried to pin down Jesus by pointing out "fault" in not keeping "bad" tradition. Jesus was speaking to their heart when pointing out what is most important. It matters not what you do if you heart is not devoted to God, this is what truly defiles a person.
And this is how he explained it to His disciples. Speaking of the "heart"... He said it doesn't matter what you eat because it will not defile your heart. It matters what comes out of you... what you speak the works you do because sin always comes from a selfish heart. A selfless heart will not sin. I believe that Matthew explains this well...
matt 15:17-20 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are [the things] which defile a man:
but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Jesus was referring the whole time to the pharisees manmade rule of ceremonial washing of hands to cleanse them from any defilement that may have come to them from touching a gentile. Jesus says this does not defile a man, but what comes from the heart does.
Rom 14:14-20
(14) I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(15) For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.
(16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
(17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(18) For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.
(19) So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.
(20) Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
IMO, you have a bit of a context issue that must be resolved. We can agree to disagree, but let me explain.
The big issue that you will find through a lot of the letter to the Romans is... Judging. You had Jewish converts and Pagan/Gentile converts. They came from different backgrounds and thus viewed many things differently. One issue was with eating food offered to Idols. The Jewish convert had no issue with this as they had always served the "True" God and understood that the idols were just that, images of wood, stone, gold, etc. they had no power. The Gentile/heathen coverts, on the other hand, had converted from this idol worship and would logically not think it appropriate to eat anything that had been offered to what they used to worship. It would be kind of like an alcholic going into a bar and ordering water.
So, we see Paul in vs 14-20 explaining to both parties that they should not judge what the other does, but to do according to what they feel is right. AND to not do anything to be a stumblingblock(this, I believe, was said to the Jews) against the new converts who were weaker in the faith.
If we compare the language Paul uses in Romans 14 with that used in 1 cor 8 we will find that they match pretty well. And Paul is clear in 1 corinthians that the "meat" that some considered unclean was that offered to idols.
Does Paul intend to say that you can eat whatever you want? I don't believe so.
And this is the reason I asked question 4:
The commands regarding eating meat offered to idols seems almost in complete contradiction to what Paul says in Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8. Is it okay or is it not? And why does Paul say that those who believe it is not are "weak" in the faith?
Why would Paul agree in one place to command the gentiles to not eat meat offered to idols and then in another call those who think it wrong to eat meat offered to idols weak in the faith. Just something to ponder as we work through Acts 15
Another question for you two: Are we under this law from the Old Testament today?
Lev 15:19-23
(19) And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
(20) And everything that she lieth upon in her impurity shall be unclean: everything also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
(21) And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(22) And whosoever toucheth anything that she sitteth upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
(23) And if it be on the bed, or on anything whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even.
One must ask the question: Why was this civil law commanded? IMO, because women did not have feminine napkins back then and blood as a "rule" is unclean as we know today. The biggest risk for any healthcare practitioner is "dirty" blood. It poses the biggest risk of disease transmission. In the days when the blood would get all over everything the women was considered unclean and anything that she touched would be unclean, simple rule of disease transmission. Most married men will tell you that a women's "issue" can last from 5-7 days. Rarely would this last past seven days unless she was abnormal.
Today, Women can be sanitary with modern advances in cleanliness. What they lay on and touch, most of the time, does not become polluted with her blood. Thus their would be no need to consider her unclean unless she decided she would not use her "napkins" and get blood everywhere. If this happened I believe you would see most people follow this law.